Haslam talks with governor accused in extramaritial affair, offers no advice on resignation

Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, facing an indictment tied to an extramarital affair, cancelled a planned appearance at a weekend National Governors Association meeting in Washington and fellow Republican governors who attended shied away from saying whether he should resign or fight the charges, according to Politico. With Nashville embroiled in controversy over Mayor Megan Barry’s extramarital affir, Gov. Bill Haslam, who chairs the Republican Governors Association, said he has talked with Greitens but isn’t offering advice.

Greitens was indicted by a grand jury in St. Louis last week over a charge of invasion of privacy stemming from an extramarital affair. Greitens has admitted to the affair but denied claims from the woman’s ex-husband that he tried to use a compromising photo to blackmail the woman into keeping the affair quiet. Greitens’ attorney has signaled that he plans to fight the charges.

…Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, the current RGA chairman, talked with Greitens last week following the indictment. But he said other governors didn’t need to advise Greitens on what he should do.

“I think that’s up to Eric and his family and the people to decide. I don’t think they need us as other governors telling him what he should do,” Haslam said. “They know what their relationship is with Gov. Greitens. If they’ve had conversations with him, that’s up to them. “

… After news of the scandal first broke, Greitens kept a low profile, avoiding most interviews. He was slated to attend the NGA winter meeting but canceled after the indictment on Thursday. He also stepped down from his position on the RGA’s executive committee.

Democrats, meanwhile, are not keeping quiet.

… At a DGA (Democratic Governors Association) news conference on redistricting on Friday, DGA chairman and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy all gave some version of a “yes” to the question of whether Greitens should go.

“Yeah,” Wolf said when the trio of governors were asked whether they thought Greitens should resign.

“If there’s any truth to these early, disturbing allegations, then yes,” Inslee said.

“If the pictures exist, and apparently they do, the answer’s yes,” Malloy said.